A new $1.3 billion contract was approved Wednesday that will allow the Chicago Transit Authority to replace nearly half of its existing fleet of rapid transit cars. The winning bid went to CSR Sifang America, whose partners include the Chinese state-owned rail car manufacturing company CRRC Qingdao Sifang and CSR America, which handles North American operations. Bombardier Transportation, builder of the 5000-series cars, was passed over.

CSR is currently building rapid transit cars for Boston’s Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. According to the Chicago Tribune, the first new cars for Chicago are expected to test in 2019, and be released for service in 2020. The 7000-series will replace the 2600-series built for CTA in the 1980s.

—Passenger Train Journal